An uptick of pollen in the air often brings watery eyes, runny noses and other unpleasant symptoms, but the food you eat actually might make your allergies worse.
About one-third of pollen allergy patients may be affected by Oral Allergy Syndrome. When someone has OAS, certain foods that contain traces of pollen trigger reactions in your body, including itchiness in the mouth and throat.
Here are seven foods that could make your allergies worse:
Pitted and tropical fruits
Pitted fruits, including apricots, apples, plums, cherries, tomatoes and peaches, might exacerbate your allergies in the spring. Some tropical fruits, such as kiwis and pineapples, might affect your allergies, too.
Certain vegetables
Celery juice is popular, but you probably should avoid it if you have spring allergies. Carrots, zucchini and bell peppers also should be kept off your plate.
Fresh herbs
Avoid using parsley or cilantro in your dishes.
Certain legumes
Peanuts and soybeans might make your mouth itch if you have OAS. If you experience any irritation after eating nuts or legumes, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology suggests visiting an allergist or immunologist.
Certain nuts
Just like peanuts and soybeans, almonds and hazelnuts — as well as their derivatives including Nutella, hazelnut-flavored coffees and almond butter — can cause irritation.
Non-pollen-containing foods
Some foods don’t contain pollen but still might trigger your spring allergies.
Beer, wine and liquor contain histamine, which is the chemical that triggers allergy symptoms. Wine and beer also contain sulfites, which could lead to a stuffy nose or other allergy symptoms.
Spicy foods, including wasabi and horseradish, might seem like great choices because they clear out your nasal cavity, but spices actually can trigger the release of histamine.
